Netanyahu calls on France to pressure Lebanon for ceasefire: Exclusive
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Sources close to the Elysee Palace confirms to Al Mayadeen that the Israeli Prime Minister is pushing France to pressure Lebanon into a ceasefire on the northern front.
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French President Emmanuel Macron, right, welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP)
Sources close to the Elysee Palace informed Al Mayadeen that there is a new French diplomatic move toward Lebanon which comes at a direct request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who asked France to "resume its initiative to calm the northern front with Lebanon," which Paris began months ago and stopped without achieving any results.
The recent meetings at the French presidential headquarters, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, were part of a renewed effort to promote the previous French initiative with some adjustments, according to the source.
The original proposal, which suggested halting operations by the Israeli side in exchange for Hezbollah moving seven kilometers away from the blue line separating Lebanon and occupied Palestine, was met with rejection by the Lebanese side, especially Hezbollah. In return, "Israel" was to agree to cease military operations and make commitments to demarcate the land borders, address the Lebanese oil and gas dispute, and facilitate progress in the political process within Lebanon.
Sources told Al Mayadeen that the French initiative was amended, abandoning the earlier Israeli request that the Resistance moves away 7 km from the Blue Line.
Instead, it proposes the withdrawal of "specific military capabilities of Hezbollah" from the borders, although the exact nature of these capabilities remains undisclosed. In exchange, "Israel" would halt all military operations and violations in Lebanese airspace, along with addressing other components from the previous initiative.
Macron speaks to Mikati amid Israeli pressure
Macron briefed caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on the progress of the French initiative, and Mikati is anticipated to seek specific responses from Lebanese parties concerning the new proposals.
According to French sources, the French initiative, requested for implementation by Netanyahu, has garnered support from the United States. This highlights why the French President has renewed his efforts and momentum toward Lebanon.
French sources reacted to this shift in stance and the modifications to the previous initiative, attributing it to the repercussions of the Iranian attack on "Israel" in retaliation for the aggression against the Iranian consulate in Damascus. This development led to the involvement of the Lebanon file as a key topic of discussion during the European Union leaders' summit in Brussels last Thursday and Friday.
That said, the sources to Al Mayadeen confirmed that discussions on this file will persist during a joint meeting of the European Union foreign and defense ministers in Luxembourg next Monday.
Earlier today, the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon announced it shelled two buildings used by the Israeli occupation forces in the "Metula" settlement amid rampant Israeli crimes in southern Lebanon.
The attack came in response to Israeli bombardment of southern Lebanese towns and villages, which are mainly targeting civilian areas, with the latest attack being on Aita al-Shaab, Kfar Kila, and al-Jibbain. Hezbollah also destroyed espionage equipment at the Israeli Hanita military site.
